Courting Humiliation

Courting Humiliation

Deep within the Immortal Martial Realm, nestled in a sprawling expanse permeated with an ancient aura, a multitude of figures stood in solemn assembly. Each one among them was a renowned Heaven Chosen, hailing from the various major powers within the Royal Sacred Region.

Notably, the eight era-suppressing geniuses were present among them.

Within this expansive region, marked by intersecting floating bridges, was the convergence point for all eighty-one of these ethereal pathways. Atop a specific bridge, several silhouettes appeared, their eyes trained on the brilliant figures already assembled in the vast expanse before them.

Remarkably, even among these figures on the particular bridge, there were several of tremendous renown. They hailed from the Nine Great Sects, were crowned princes of ancient kingdoms, or bore the titles of Saint Children and Holy Maidens from illustrious reclusive sects. Yet, currently, most of them lacked the courage to step off the bridge. Merely sensing the overwhelming auras exuded by the Royal Sacred Region's luminous geniuses left them trembling with trepidation. Even now, their cultivation levels remained suppressed. Should they venture down from their floating sanctuary, any of the renowned figures present could easily dispatch them with a single gesture.

Though their hearts brimmed with dissatisfaction, the unyielding reality of the gaping disparity in power loomed large before them. They had no choice but to face the truth: they had been eliminated.

"Gu Liufeng is as remarkable as ever. No matter where he goes, that white-clad figure never fails to seize the spotlight," remarked a female Heaven Chosen from an ancient reclusive sect, her eyes aglow with admiration. In the boundless expanse of the Royal Sacred Region, her talent and background placed her in a league apart, and very few among her peers could stir her interest.

Gu Liufeng was a prime example of such a figure. Like a tranquil lake reflecting the moon, or the Yi archer piercing the heavens, this young man had become the emblem of their generation. Any discussion of talented youth inevitably led to Gu Liufeng's name. There were scarce individuals who could rival his stature, primarily because Gu Liufeng had ascended to such heights without any significant backing.

"Is your heart moved?" teased a young woman dressed in pink, standing at her side. Those familiar with her knew her as a formidable character.

"There are very few whose hearts wouldn't stir when confronted by the eight absolute era-suppressing geniuses, let alone Gu Liufeng, who ranks among the most outstanding of the eight," another maiden responded with a gentle smile. "Moreover, it appears that he was the first to reach this point among the others."

"Who would've imagined that we wouldn't even qualify to step off this bridge? The trials within the Immortal Martial Realm are exceedingly challenging. In my last test, I encountered a demonic tree, and only three of us on this floating bridge managed to pass it. After that, the tree transported those three individuals to some mysterious place while the rest of us were left stranded. It wasn't until some time had passed that the demonic tree disappeared, allowing us to proceed and eventually reach this final stage."

The girl offered a faint, bitter smile. "Yet, the suppression on our cultivation remains in place. We're no longer capable of competing against those below."

"I held onto hope that there would still be opportunities. There are secret realms along the floating bridge I was on, and if we could pass them, we'd earn the right to take a test called 'The Immortal Guides the Way.' Unfortunately, I couldn't make it." The girl beside her shook her head with a wry smile. She, too, had once been filled with pride, but she faltered when faced with the formidable test, particularly the guardian, a demonic monkey.

"Yes, there are many secret realms on these bridges, each housing unique trials for the participants. Some breeze through them, moving forward with unwavering determination, while others struggle to progress. Look over there, that's Princess Jiao Yang of Grand Zhou. She's incredible, passing all the arduous tests and even obtaining a blazing steed."

The other maiden turned her gaze towards Princess Jiao Yang, who rode a magnificent horse engulfed in flames. The steed floated gracefully in the air, surrounded by a mesmerizing aura of fire, creating a fiery halo that encircled the princess.

At that moment, a figure approached the two maidens. This person wore opulent imperial robes and exuded an aura of unparalleled luxury. His eyes glowed with a menacing golden light that sent shivers down the spines of those who met his gaze. He was at the seventh level of the Heavenly Dipper, and it was clear that the cultivation suppression had been lifted. Without a word, he strode past the two maidens and continued onward.

"It's Shang Tong, the Eye King from Grand Shang. He's reached the seventh level, and his cultivation is rock solid. He's grown much stronger since entering the Immortal Martial Realm," someone exclaimed, recognizing him.

Both Grand Shang and Grand Zhou were formidable powers, and aside from Princess Jiao Yang, another prince from Grand Zhou stood among the illustrious group.

After Shang Tong, several other exceptional figures appeared, their eyes gleaming with determination and their auras radiating power as they pressed forward.

The unfolding scene left onlookers astonished. More individuals were arriving, including Heaven Chosen bearing Immortal Martial Medallions.

"Lin Xianer has arrived!" A surprised voice rang out, drawing the attention of the crowd. They turned to see Lin Xianer's silhouette appearing on one of the bridges. Her flawless beauty remained as enchanting as ever, and each step she took seemed to captivate the hearts of those who watched.

"Lin Xian`er is truly remarkable; the suppression on her cultivation has been lifted."

The crowd collectively sighed in admiration, recognizing her as a true Celestial Maiden from the Celestial Maiden Sect. Her beauty was matched only by her exceptional talent.

The only aspect that triggered a sense of unease among the onlookers was the presence of a young man walking just ahead of Lin Xian'er. This individual carried an aura of calmness but radiated a remarkable sharpness. His tranquil eyes remained fixed on the path ahead as he steadily moved forward. And, accompanying this young man, was not only Lin Xian'er but also another woman exuding an icy demeanor. This curious sight stirred the crowd's imagination, sparking countless speculations about the identity of this young man.

"Senior Sister Lou," the members of the Battle Sword Sect greeted upon spotting Lou Bingyu. Lou Bingyu's gaze shifted towards them, her eyes devoid of emotion, and she continued her forward stride. From time to time, her gaze flickered towards the young man ahead of her. This young man, who undoubtedly hailed from the same bridge as her, must be one of the dark horses in the Immortal Martial Realm, right?

"That's Lou Bingyu, the favored personal disciple of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness," the crowd whispered upon learning her identity. Such an exceptional woman, yet here she was following behind a young man? Moreover, standing next to her was Lin Xian'er, renowned as the number one beauty under the heavens.

The scene left many in the crowd utterly astounded. Weren't there rumors that Lou Bingyu was as cold as ice, someone who would never willingly walk with any man, let alone behind one? What on earth was happening?

Observing their positioning, whether it was Lou Bingyu or Lin Xian'er, both seemed to be playing a supporting role. This unexpected development left a profound impact on the spectators.

The individual who had called out Lou Bingyu's name was another elite female disciple under the Plum Mountain Sovereigness. She was accompanied by several other members from the Battle Sword Sect, one of whom was adorned in robes made from phoenix feathers, radiating unparalleled allure. At this moment, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief while gazing at the scene below. She found it difficult to accept what she was witnessing.

As personal disciples of the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness, Li Haoyou had a deeper understanding of Lou Bingyu compared to most. She was aware of the high hopes her master had for Lou Bingyu, which sometimes ignited her jealousy. However, she acknowledged that in terms of strength and talent, she couldn't compete with her fellow disciple. She also knew that Lou Bingyu was aloof and determined to challenge Ji Feixue's status within the Battle Sword Sect. Her sole purpose was to contend against the eight era-suppressing geniuses.

But now, Lou Bingyu was walking behind that man, alongside Lin Xian'er?

Upon their first encounter with Qin Wentian, Li Haoyou had dismissed him. Even though he later displayed his strength, Li Haoyou remained skeptical. In ancient Ye, he had even confronted her master, the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness; he clearly didn't grasp the consequences of his actions! Lou Bingyu couldn't have been oblivious to the events in Ye.

However, at this moment, the young man leading both Lin Xian'er and Lou Bingyu seemed undeniably exceptional.

"Stop right there!"

This bizarre turn of events demanded an explanation. Li Haoyou shouted, summoning Qin Wentian to a halt. Her tone was brusque, carrying an air of coldness and a hint of disdain.

Qin Wentian came to an abrupt halt, his brow furrowing as he fixed his gaze upon Lin Hanyou. In truth, he wasn't well-acquainted with Li Hanyou; their encounters had been brief and distant on the rare occasions they crossed paths. For some inexplicable reason, the way she looked at him always carried a hint of hostility. Although Qin Wentian didn't particularly like the way she regarded him, it wouldn't be accurate to say that he despised it. After all, they were essentially strangers to each other.

As Qin Wentian perceived the authoritative tone in Li Hanyou's voice, his own gaze returned her icy glare, as sharp as a freshly unsheathed sword. This look rattled Lin Hanyou's thoughts and intensified her feelings of humiliation. A cold, murderous intent flickered within her beautiful eyes, far more piercing than the one Qin Wentian had cast upon her.

"Senior sister, do you remember that time when Master stormed the Royal Palace of Ye? She publicly declared her desire for you to teach this man a lesson! Although he is a fellow member of our Battle Sword Sect, his disrespect towards Master was simply outrageous! How can you remain composed and indifferent, senior sister?" Li Hanyou understood that she might not currently be a match for Qin Wentian, but she was determined to make use of Lou Bingyu to deal with him, driven by her intense discomfort with his gaze.

Lou Bingyu's eyes radiated icy determination. In reality, while the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness had indeed made such statements in Ye, she had never explicitly instructed Lou Bingyu to take action against Qin Wentian. From her perspective, Qin Wentian was merely a junior, and she was unlikely to take any significant action against him.

Moreover, Li Hanyou was unaware that Lou Bingyu had already been defeated by Qin Wentian. How could she hope to deal with him?

BAM!

With the fading echo of Li Hanyou's voice, a thunderous sound rang out. Qin Wentian's palm sliced through the air, striking Li Hanyou's face with such force that her body was sent hurtling through the air. When she landed on the ground, the impact of the slap even forced a mouthful of blood from her lips. The slap left Li Hanyou utterly bewildered.

As she gradually regained her senses and struggled back to her feet, her eyes blazed with anger, her entire body trembling with disbelief.

Qin Wentian's killing intent surged, sending an overwhelming wave of coldness radiating through Li Hanyou's heart. It was a chilling sensation, as if she had been frozen solid.

Without sparing her a second glance, Qin Wentian continued on his path. Lou Bingyu followed suit, paying no heed to her. Their actions left Li Hanyou to contend with the stares of those witnessing her humiliation.

"What an amusing individual," Lin Xian'er chimed in with a light laugh as she trailed behind Qin Wentian. Her melodious voice carried a touch of mockery, ridiculing Li Hanyou for overestimating her own abilities so grossly.